317 



Pennsylvania, grapes are abundant and fine, but disposed to rot. In 

 King- George, Virginia, the "Monroe" grape bears abundantly, and of 

 fine quality ; other varieties badl^^ affected by rot, except Concord and 

 Maxatawney, which partially escaped. The black rot has cut off the 

 crop in Marion, Georgia, and in ^STicholas, Western Virginia, the curculio 

 is said to have reduced the crop one-half. In Cass County, Missouri, 

 early ripening stopped the rot, but the crop Avas injured l3y a heavy 

 hail-storm. "The largest yield ever known " is reported from Franklin, 

 Missouri. In Cole County there has been considerable rot, especially 

 in the Delaware, Catawba, and Clinton ; also in Rogers's Hy- 

 brids, except the Goethe, which is healthy. In Lawrence, Missouri, 

 cultivated grapes are reported half a crop, wild grapes a failure. 

 In Madison, Illinois, " grapes harvested in good condition before 

 Setember 1 ; Concords have made a gallon of wine per plant." St. 

 Clair County reports "grapes finer and more abundant than ever before, 

 a drug in the market, selling at 2 cents per pound ; " and in Knox 

 County " grapes rival California grapes in abundance and cheapness, 

 the finest Concords selling at 2 and 3 cents per pound." In Calhoun, 

 Michigan, of eighteen varieties in fruit, only the Catawbas have suffered 

 from rot to any extent. Rogers's Hybrid No. 15 rotted slightly. In 

 Macomb County the croj) was suffering for rain. In Muscatine, Iowa, 

 grapes were selling at 2 to 3 cents per pound. The crop in Douglas, 

 Kansas, was blighted to the extent of one-tenth, but the i^roduct is still 

 large. 



WEIGHT OF FLEECES. 



The returns relative to condition of wool and comparative weight 

 of fleeces of sheep do not indicate any very material changes. It 

 is shown that a reaction has been commenced, as faith in the 

 future of wool as a profitable product has increased; and in the wool- 

 producing States, California, Ohio, and Illinois, fleeces are averaging 

 somewhat heavier, as a result of greater care of flocks on the part of the 

 best wool- growers: 



Boone Couniij, III. — Wool a better clip than usual. Our smaller number of sbeep are 

 better cared for. 



Ripley County, Ind. — Sheep becoming scarce ; good wethers bringing $3 per head. If 

 sheep could be protected from dogs, they would be extensively kept on account of their 

 wool, lambs, and manure. 



Alameda County, Cal. — The spring clip of wool has been sold or gone to eastern mar- 

 kets ; average price here, 30 or 31 cents per pound. Fall-shearing in progress ; some 

 clips arriving into market ; prices 28 to 31 cents per pound. Full-blooded Merinos and 

 their grades much sought after. English coarse-wool sheej) are in less demand, being 

 less suited to onr long, dry seasons. Several manufacturers and agents have left for 

 Australia to purchase hue wools. 



Lal^e County, Cal. — This county noted for good wool, having 15,000 sheep. New Eng- 

 land ageuts are buying uj) the clip. The mountain wool of California superior to the 

 valley wool. 



Los Angeles County, Cal. — Wool of better quality and price than ever before, though 

 the fleeces average a little smaller than last year ; more wool exported than in any former 

 year. 



Conejos County, Colo. — Wool improving in weight and quality. 



Colfax County, N, Mex. — Wool in course of improvement by importation of sheep from 

 Canada. 



Fillmore County, Minn. — Mianufacturers estimate the wool-clip ten per cent, less than 

 last year. 



Jackson County, Fla. — Sheep are increasing in numbers, and are receiving more atten- 

 tion ; the wool will be of better quality. 



